Salmond hails new offshore wind partnership

Future plans: First Minister Alex Salmond and Technip Chairman and CEO Thierry Pilenko at the company's European offshore wind HQ in Aberdeen

Published:17:23Tuesday 02 August 2011

FIrst Minister Alex Salmond last week hailed a new offshore wind energy partnership as he formally launched the Aberdeen - based offshore wind business of French engineering and construction services provider Technip.

Mr Salmond joined Technip Chairman and CEO Thierry Pilenko in Aberdeen as the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) - part of Spanish energy giant Iberdrola - which will see Technip join a consortium bidding to provide up to 1.25GW of offshore wind energy in French waters.

The First Minister said “Technip is a world-leading project management, engineering and construction business that has built its reputation for excellence in the oil & gas industry, where it has been a major player in Aberdeen for decades.

“Technip’s decision to headquarter its European offshore wind business in Aberdeen signals the leading role that Scotland is playing in the development and deployment of leading-edge clean energy generation. The MoU with Iberdrola - with its global offshore wind base in Glasgow - for developments off the French coast, underlines that the expertise being developed in Scotland can help harness not only the huge natural resources off our own coast, but the massive clean, energy resources around the world.”

Mr Anderson, SPR Chief Executive added “Technip’s new offshore wind offices in Aberdeen are a welcome addition to Scotland’s growing renewable energy sector. We are very pleased to welcome Technip into our consortium to bid for offshore wind projects in France. As a well-established company, with a strong presence in France and in all major energy capitals they are an ideal partner to help us bid for these major projects.”

Scotland has an estimated 25% of Europe’s offshore wind and tidal energy potential and up to 10% of its wave power capacity.